The United Nations is expected to delay, for at least a week, recommendations on the shape of an Iraqi interim government that would take power on June 30th from the US-led occupation, diplomats said tonight.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan is scheduled to present a report tomorrow or Friday that will say direct elections are not possible by June 30, as Shi'ite leaders wanted, and suggest dates for an election later in the year or early next year, the envoys said.
But a key section of the anticipated report, what form of caretaker government Mr Annan would recommend, will not be included, they added.
Mr Annan leaves for Japan on Friday and will return on February 25th. Mr Lakhdar Brahimi, a senior UN adviser, will be in Japan at the same time under a previously arranged trip and the two may refine proposals by the time they return. Mr Brahimi had prepared a report after spending a week in Iraq at the request of both Mr Annan and the White House.